Greenland's Government Tells President Donald Trump Island "Not For Sale"

posted by R.J. Johnson - @rickerthewriter -
Aug 16, 2019

Greenland's government said Friday that the island was "not for sale" after reports that President Donald Trump had entertained the idea of buying the autonomous Danish territory.

"#Greenland is rich in valuable resources such as minerals, the purest water and ice, fish stocks, seafood, renewable energy and is a new frontier for adventure tourism. We're open for business, not for sale," Greenland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a tweet.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Trump has entertained the idea of buying Greenland, people familiar with the discussions said. Trump, on multiple occasions, had raised the idea of buying the Danish territory from Denmark during meetings and dinners. The president was interested when "they discuss its abundant resources and geopolitical importance." Greenland is home to Thule Air Base, the U.S. military's northernmost base that was built in 1951.

However, whether the president was serious is another matter. The Associated Press reported that Trump was not that serious about the idea. The Journal's report also stated that Trump's interest in purchasing the island could be characterized as "varying degrees of seriousness."

This isn't the first time the U.S. has shown interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark. The AP reported the U.S. has repeatedly offered money to Denmark to purchase the island territory, once in 1867, and again in 1946 when the U.S. offered $100 million to Denmark for the island. However, it seems this will be one real estate deal Trump wouldn't be able to close.

"We have a good cooperation with USA, and we see it as an expression of greater interest in investing in our country and the possibilities we offer," the island’s website states. "Of course, Greenland is not for sale."